Visual display apparatus with character matrix

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for the visual indication or display of characters, especially decimal numerical characters, which characters are associated with successive adjustments or settings of an adjustment component and a base body and of which characters there is visually indicated during each adjustment or setting the character associated therewith. The base body comprises a visual surface composed of a character matrix consisting of lines for the characters to be displayed or indicated. There are also provided cover elements adjustable by the adjustment component for the lines of the character matrix in order to cover during successive adjustments the excessive lines of the character matrix which are not needed for the visual display of the relevant character.

United States Patent [191 Pirchl, Gerhard Nov. 5, 1974 1 VISUAL DISPLAY APPARATUS WITH 3,229,282 l/l966 Palmer 340/378 A CHARACTER MATRIX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [75] Inventor: Pirchl, Gerhard, Dietikon, 539,546 4/1957 Canada 116/ 124.4

Switzerland 4 Primary Examiner-David L. Trafton [73] Assignee. Romay AG, Oberkulm, Switzerland Attorney Agent or Firm wemer w Kleeman [22] Filed: Apr. 1, 1974 [21 Appl. No.: 456,544 [571 f d f An apparatus or the visua in ication or isplay o Related Apphcatlo Data characters, especially decimal numerical characters, [62] Dwlslo" 9f 287,267 1 8, 1972- which characters are associated with successive adjustments or settings of an adjustment component and Foreign Application r ty Data a base body and of which characters there is visually Sept. 15, 1971 Switzerland 13490/71 indicated during each adjustment or setting the character associated therewith. The base body comprises a [52] US. Cl. 200/316, 116/124 L, 116/2244, visual surface composed of a character matrix consist- 200/308, 200/310, 340/365 R, 340/378 A ing of lines for the characters to be displayed or indi- [51] Int. Cl. G08b 5/36 cated. There are also provided cover elements adjust- [58] Field of Search 340/378 R, 378 A, 365 R; able by the adjustment component for the lines of the 116/124 L, 124.2 A, 124.4; 200/308, 310, 316 character matrix in order to cover during successive adjustments the excessive lines of the character matrix [56] References Cited which are not needed for the visual display of the rele- UNITED STATES PATENTS Character- 934,421 9/1909 Clark 200/308 24 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures r 76\\ F 16 a 75a 27 27 10 20b l I 41 l I I 24 I I I PATENIEDHUV 5 m 3.84as05 sum w 1 PATENTEDNUY 5 mm SHEEI 30$ 7 FIG.

PATENTEUHHY slew 3.846505 SHEET 50F 7 FIG 17 VISUAL DISPLAY APPARATUS WITH CHARACTER MATRIX CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE The instant application is a divisional application of my commonly assigned copending United States application Ser. No. 287,267, filed Sept. 8, 1972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for the visual indication or display of characters, especially decimal numbers or numerical characters, associated with successive adjustments or settings of an adjustment or setting component and a base body and of which characters there is visually indicated during each adjustment the character associated therewith, and furthermore, this invention relates to the use of the visual indicator or display apparatus for encoding the decimal numerical characters according to a binary or dual code wherein the binary numbers are portrayed by open and closed switches.

For encoding numerical characters there are known in the art so-called code or coding switches, wherein there is provided for each binary place or position of the code a switch element, for instance at a base body. At the base body there is mounted an adjustment component consisting generally of a rotatable disk or plate which is adjustable to engaging or locking positions associated with the individual numerical characters and for each locking or engaging position indicates both the therewith associated numerical character and also appropriately actuates the switching elements of the coded word of the adjusted or set numerical character. At the periphery of the adjustment disk there are usually provided finger recesses for facilitating setting to the locking positions. Owing to these recesses and especially because of the size of the characters required for a positive and rapid recognition of the adjusted numerical character the adjustment disks must be chosen to be rather large in size. Hence, during the assembly of installations composed of units assembled from a great many coding switches their considerable spatial requirements become quite disadvantageous. Oftentimes the decimal numerical characters are encoded in a binary-coded-decimal notation, in which case the switch then possesses four outputs connected to switching elements. If it is desired to change from one binarycoded-decimal notation to another at an installation, then it is necessary to either replace the existing code switches for others or to exchange the adjustment disks, both of which procedures are rather timeconsuming. Moreover, the fabrication costs for the known coding switches are extremely uneconomical.

It is also known to the art to bring about display of decimal numerical characters by means of a numerical character matrix composed of seven luminous lines, wherein in each case the luminous lines of the matrix portraying the relevant numerical characters illuminate and the remaining matrix lines remain dark. For forming the luminous lines there are generally employed thermionic filaments or glow tubes for which there must then be provided their own switches. Such luminous indicator or display devices are voluminous and expensive, and additionally, can only be used to advantage in a limited number of situations. They are not suitable for a coding switch for encoding numerical characters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, from what has been disclosed above it should be apparent that this particular field of technology is still in need of equipment for visual indication or display of characters in a manner not associated with the aforementioned limitations and drawbacks of the prior art constructions. Thus, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for the visual indication or display of characters which effectively and reliably fulfills the existing need in the art and is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art constructions.

Another and more specific object of the present invention relates to a new and improved construction of apparatus for the visual indications of characters which is equipped with clearly recognizable, sufficiently large characters, especially numerical characters and possessing small dimensional size, can be fabricated at low cost, and additionally can be advantageously employed in a versatile manner, especially in combination with a coding switch for encoding decimal numerical characters according to a binary code.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates to a new and improved construction of apparatus for the visual indication of characters or the like which is relatively simple in construction and design, extremely economical to manufacture, highly reliable in operation, particularly indicating in a clearly discernible manner the desired characters which are to be portrayed at any given time, further is not readily subject to malfunction and requires a minimum of servicing and maintenance.

Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the invention contemplates that the base body possesses a visual surface with a character matrix consisting of lines for the characters which are to be displayed or indicated. There are also provided cover elements adjustable by the adjustment components for the lines of the character matrix in order to cover during successive adjustments the lines which are excessive or unnecessary for the display of the momentary relevant character at the character matrix.

For the use of the visual indicator apparatus for encoding decimal numerical characters according to a binary code the visual surface of the base body is provided with a numerical character matrix and each of the successive adjustments or settings of the base body and adjustment or setting component are clearly fixed by locking or engaging means and for each binary position of the code there are provided two contact pieces or elements which can be closed, these contact elements being appropriately opened and closed during adjustment of the adjustment component to the setting of the coded message or word of the numerical character associated with the adjustment.

There is advantageously provided at the visual surface of the base body a seven-line character matrix consisting of linear longitudinally and transversely extending lines or markings. By covering predetermined ones of the lines it is possible to portray the ten decimal numerical characters or numbers and a great number of large letters in stylized form. The apparatus can be designed as a slidingor rotary visual indicator or display apparatus. In the case of a sliding visual indicator or display apparatus the adjustment component and base body in successive adjustments or settings can be displaced transverse to the transverse lines or markings of the character matrix. The adjustment or setting component can possess a cover surface which slides over the visual surface of the base body, upon which are arranged as cover elements transverse extending cover lines for the transverse lines which are to be covered of the character matrix in the successive settings or adjustments. The character matrix can be arranged at the visual surface of the base body with lengthwise or longitudinal extending lines which extend at an inclination with regard to the displacement direction of the adjustment or setting component and the cover elements for the longitudinal extending lines which are to be covered of the character matrix can be longitudinal extending cover lines arranged at the cover surface in the successive settings or adjustments, whereby it is possible to obtain close or short spacing of successive settings or adjustments, and therefore, a small total length of the equipment. In this regard there can be obtained sufficiently wide matrix lines for achieving good visual display or indication, in that the lengthwise extending lines of the character matrix are inclined with regard to the displacement direction of the adjustment or setting component through an angle of to preferably 18. Each lengthwise extending line of the character matrix which is to be covered can be also formed by a slot-shaped opening at the visual surface of the base body, and the cover elements for such lengthwise extending lines can be resilient tongues of the base body having front surfaces located at a front surface of the base body, and which can be adjusted by the adjustment component in the successive settings or adjustments and cover the lengthwise extending lines by closing the slot-shaped openings.

In the case of a rotary or rotational visual indicator or display apparatus the adjustment or setting component can be rotatable in successive adjustments at the base body about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the planar front surface and extending through the diagonal point of intersection of the character matrix, wherein each of the four lengthwise extending lines and both of the outer transverse extending lines of the seven-line character matrix is formed by a slotshaped opening at the front surface of the base body. Moreover, the cover elements for these lines of the character matrix constitute resilient tongues of the base body with surfaces lying at the front surface, these tongues being adjustable by the adjustment component in the successive adjustments or settings and cover the aforementioned lines of the matrix by closing the slotshaped openings. In this regard the central transverse line of the character matrix can be continuously visible, so that there are produced characters, each of which possesses such central transverse line, or the central transverse line can be also covered in that a cover surface with appropriately arranged transverse extending cover lines is arranged over the front surface of the base body.

Now in the case of sliding and rotary visual indicator apparatuses the base body can consist of a parallelepiped-shaped or cylindrical plastic block, wherein the resilient tongues can be formed by notches or cutouts at the front surface and lateral or peripheral separation or parting cuts, so that the base body can possess small width and small diameter and the size of the front surface is essentially determined by the size of the character matrix. Such relatively high exemplary embodiments of base body afford the advantages that the base body can be formed by a hollow body member and the character matrix by slot-shaped openings at the hollow body wall possessing the front surface. In this connection it should be mentioned that embodiments of the invention can be realized with resilient tongues as cover elements possessing visual surfaces in order to only render visible the character matrix with deep black appearing lines. Additionally, there then exists the possibility of internally illuminating by means of a light source arranged in the hollow compartment of the base body, the character matrix consisting of slotshaped openings.

The base body also can be fabricated from plastic in the form of a disk or plate, wherein for forming the resilient tongues and the lines associated therewith of the character matrix there can be provided lateral separation of parting cuts and at the front surface thin notches or cuts, so that during bending of a tongue the cut spreads apart and the walls of the cut are visible as lines of the character matrix. Beneath the thin cuts at the front surface there can be provided at the plastic plate hollow compartments or spaces.

In order to adjust the tongues the adjustment or setting component can possess a travelling or running surface having recesses and associated with the tongues, wherein the cams of the tongues engage with such recesses in order to render visible the lines of the charac ter matrix.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE'DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the visual surface of the base body or foundation of a visual indicator or display apparatus designed according to the teachings of the present invention and having a seven-line character matrix;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cover surface with a cover line pattern belonging to the visual surface of the arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the ten decimal numerical characters obtained during displacement of the cover surface and visual surface of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a simple flat visual indicator or display apparatus having an adjustment component designed as a slide member and a planar visual surface and cover surface;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates in side view a visual indicator or display apparatus having cylindrical visual surface and cover surface;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a rotatable visual indicator or display apparatus having a seven-line character matrix, the peripheral lines of which are covered by resilient tongues and the central transverse line of which is continuously visible;

FIG. 7 illustrates the ten decimal numerical characters indicated at the visual surface during rotation of the adjustment component of the apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a base body with a character matrix of the type shown in FIG. 1 for a parallel code switch for encoding decimal numerical characters according to a binary-coded-decimal notation;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an adjustment component designed as a slide and belonging to the base body of the arrangement of FIG. 8 and having the cover line pattern of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the base body, the adjustment component and the switch elements of a parallelepipedor quadratic-shaped slide code switch with visual indication or display of the numerical characters;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a coding switch with illumination of the character matrix and an adjustment disk with cylindrical lens;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the base body of a slide visual indicator apparatus wherein the lines of the character matrix can be covered by resilient tongues;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the adjustment slide belonging to the base body of the arrangement of FIG. 12 and with a cover line pattern consisting of transverse lines;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a slide coding switch consisting of the base body of the arrangement of FIG. 12 and the adjustment component of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of the slide coding switch of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a rotatable coding switch of cylindrical configuration with visual indication or display of the numerical characters by means of a sevenline character matrix;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the coding switch of the arrangement of FIG. 16, taken substantially along the line I-l thereof;

FIG. 18 illustrates in the form of a development view the positions of the cover tongues, engaging or locking recesses for the cams of the tongues and the contact springs for the code or coding switch of the arrangement of FIGS. 16 and 17;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a rotary visual indicator or display apparatus having a seven-line character matrix wherein the central transverse line can be covered during setting or adjustments; and

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a coding switch having a visual indicator or display apparatus of the type depicted in FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, in FIGS. 1 to 4 there is illustrated by way of example an embodiment of the invention which is of particularly simple design, of flat or planar construction and serving for the visual indication or display of the ten decimal numerical characters or numbers 0 to 9. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through this visual indicator or dispaly apparatus. It will be seen to embody a base body or foundation 10 which has the form of a flat parallelepiped and consists for instance of a black dyed plastic. At the base body 10 there is displaceably arranged a slide member or slide consisting of transparent plastic and serving as an adjustment component or part 20. The front surface of the base body 10 is designed as a visual surface 11 (FIG. 1) which carries a so-called seven-line character matrix 12, consisting of white lines or markings, serving for the portrayal or display of the decimal numerical characters or numbers. In particular, this seven-line character matrix 12 will be understood to consist of three parallel transverse extending lines, 13a, 13b. 13c and four longitudinal or lengthwise extending lines 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d which collectively, as known. form a stylized 8.

Continuing, the adjustment or setting component 20 consisting of transparent plastic forms a window 22 which during displacement slides over the visual surface 11 of the base body 10. The face or side of the window 22 which confronts the visual surface 11 carries a cover line pattern 23 (FIG. 2) and is referred to hereinafter as the cover or covering surface 21. Since the ten decimal numbers or numerical characters should be displayed there are provided at the base body 10 and the adjustment component 20 ten successive adjustments or settings 0' 9', which in the illustrated exemplary embodiment have the same spacing from one another. The decimal numbers 0 9 have been shown in FIG. 3. If the marking 0' of the cover surface 21 is located at the marking X of the visual surface 11, then, for instance, there should be displayed or indicated the character null. As should be apparent in this set or adjusted position 0' it is necessary that there be covered the central transverse line 13b of the character matrix 12 by a transverse extending cover line 13; in order to display the numerical character 1 in the set.or adjusted position 1' (marking 1' is located at the marking X) it is necessary to cover the longitudinal or lengthwise extending lines 14a, 14b of the character matrix 12 and its transverse extending lines 13a and 13b, and so forth.

Owing to the black background of the visual surface 11 the cover line pattern 23 of the cover surface 21 accordingly consists of black transverse extending cover lines 13 and longitudinal extending cover lines 14 which, in the displacement direction V of the'adjustment component 20, are offset with respect to one another in accordance with the successive settings or adjustment positions 0 9'. It is only possible to obtain a close spacing of the successive settings or adjustment 0' 9' if the lengthwise or longitudinal extending lines 14a 14d of the character matrix 12 and accordingly the longitudinal or lengthwise extending cover lines 14 of the cover surface 21 extend at an inclination or obliquely with respect to the displacement direction V. of the adjustment component 20. As far as the width of the longitudinal extending lines 14a 14d is concerned there is decisive their inclined position and for the character image the configuration and design of the character matrix 12. The illustrated character matrix 12 extends over eight settings or adjustment positions (FIG. 2) from the setting 0' to the setting 9' and its longitudinal extending lines are inclined with regard to the displacement direction by 18. The width of the longitudinal extending lines can amount to a maximum of a asinB, wherein a represents the spacing of two successive settings or adjustments and the symbol [3 the angle of inclination. In the case of an adjustment spacing a l mm. and an angle of inclination B 18 the character matrix is accordingly 8 mm. high and the longitudinal extending lines 14d can have a width of approximately 0.3 mm. The width of the matrix transverse extending lines 13a, 13b, 13c at most can amount to one-third a. The lower transverse extending line 13a is located at the lower third of an adjustment band or region between two successive adjustments or settings, the middle transverse extending line 13b at the central third, in the illustrated embodiment at the adjustment region or band between the adjustment positions or settings 3 and 4', and the upper transverse extending line 13c at the upper third of an adjustment band or region.

The spacing of the left lengthwise extending lines 14a, 14b, from the right lengthwise or longitudinal extending lines 14c, 14d of the character matrix 12 amounts to IOa'sinB, that is to say 10 line widths" a" sinB. The upper transverse extending line 13c applied to the upper end of the left upper longitudinal extending line 14b extends a distance corresponding up to three line widths towards the right longitudinal extending line 14d, and similarly, the lower transverse extending line 13a arranged at the lower end of the right lower longitudinal extending line 140 extends a distance corresponding up to three line widths forwardly of the left longitudinal extending line 14a of the character matrix 12, as best seen by referring to FIG. 2. The central transverse extending line 13b of the character matrix 12 possesses a length corresponding to five line widths and from the left longitudinal extending line possesses a spacing of one width and from the right longitudinal extending line a spacing of three line widths. For the portrayal or display of the ten decimal numbers 9 in the form depicted in FIG. 3 there are required at the cover or covering line pattern 23 six transverse extending cover lines 13 and ten longitudinal extending cover lines 14 in the arrangement depicted in FIG. 2. Such visual indicator or display apparatus can be employed, for instance, in order to digitally indicate linear displacements of a machine component.

FIG. schematically illustrates in front view a visual indicator or display apparatus by means of which there can be digitally indicated small angles of rotation. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment the adjustment component 20, fabricated for instance from metal, possesses a cylindrical cover surface 21 which, for instance. carries at the black background the cover line pattern 23 of FIG. 2 consisting in this case of light lines. The base body which can be displaced over the cover surface 21 possesses a visual surface 11 which is curved in accordance with the cover surface 21, the background or undersurface of which is accommodated to the color shade or color of the cover lines. The character matrix consists of transparent line-shaped recesses at the base or background of the visual surface, so that there is visible therethrough the black base surface or background of the cover surface and a line of the character matrix is practically non-visible when a cover line of the cover surface is displaced beneath the opening. v

Oftentimes characters, especially numerical characters are associated with certain angular positions of a rotatable component, for instance the shaft of a rotatable switch, and which should then be indicated at the relevant setting or adjustment position. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an embodiment of visual indicator or display apparatus wherein through rotation of a ringshaped adjustment component at a circular front surface there can be successively indicated the ten numerical characters or numbers 0 9. The successive settings or adjustments are designated by reference character 0' 9. The four longitudinal or lengthwise extending lines 14a 14d and the upper as well as lower transverse extending lines 13a, 13c of the character matrix 12 are formed by slot-shaped openings between the peripheral sides of a rectangular central portion of the base body 10 and appropriately arranged resilient tongues or tongue members 15a 15f which bear at the inner wall of the ring-shaped adjustment component 20. These tongues possess surfaces which lie at the front plane and which, together with the surface of the central portion, form the front surface of the base body 10 and, for instance, can be in a white color. The walls of the slot-shaped openings are for instance black, so that the matrix lines formed by the openings are clearly visibly discernible. The central transverse extending line 13b of the character matrix is. for instance, a black transverse line at the central portion of the base body 10. Upon pressing a tongue 15 against the central portion of the base body 10 the associated slot-shaped opening is closed and the matrix line formed by this opening is practically invisible.

Further, with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 the central or middle transverse extending line 13b of the character matrix is continuously visible and is employed for the portrayal or display of each of the ten numerical characters or numbers. FIG. 7 illustrates such numerical characters 0 9. For adjustment or setting purposes each tongue 15a 15f possesses a radially protruding cam or dog 16 which can engage with suitable recesses 26 provided at the inner wall of the ring-shaped adjustment component 20. The recesses 26 are arranged in such a fashion that for each adjustment or setting 0' 0 of the adjustment component 20 the earns 16 only engage for those tongues 15 which form the lines at the character matrix required for the portrayal or representation of the relevant numerical character. Accordingly, for the setting or adjustment position 0' the cams of the tongues 15a, 15e and 15c which form the matrix lines 14a, 13a and must engage in recesses, whereas the cams of the remaining tongues must not be situated opposite any recesses, so that the slot-shaped openings of the matrix lines 14b, 13c and 14d are closed. In the illustrated adjustment position or setting 6 only the cam 16 of the tongue 15d forming the matrix line 14d is not situated opposite any recess 26, so that the slot-shaped opening is closed and the matrix longitudinal extending line 14d is practically invisible and therefore there can be indicated the numerical value 6. If the tongues 15a 15f are, for instance, of a width greater than six cam diameters, then the cams and the recesses can be arranged in a track, wherein the cams of the successive tongues are always offset by at least one cam diameter. In the case of a smaller tongue width the cams and associated recesses must be arranged in two or three tracks. This will be considered in greater detail hereinafter during the disclosure of this development.

With so-called code or coding switches there are indicated in ten settings or adjusted positions the individual numerical characters and in each adjusted position or setting switches are closed and opened, so that by means of the switch positions there cans be reproduced the code messages or words of the set numerical characters. In the case of visual indicator or display apparatuses of the previously described type it is possible to construct code switches of small dimensional size which particularly manifest themselves by their large and clearly discernible numerical characters. There will now be described hereinafter a number of exemplary embodiments.

A simple embodiment of slide-code switch of flat construction has been illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 8 and 9. The base body 10 consists of a rectangular plastic plate, the left half of which is thicker than the right half thereof and possesses a planar, for instance, black visual surface 11 with, for instance, a yellow seven-line character matrix 12 of a construction of the type depicted in FIG. 1. The code or coding switch should serve for encoding the numerical characters or numbers according to a binary-coded-decimal notation. At the right half of the plastic plate there are arranged for each binary place or position of the binarycoded-decimal notation two contact pieces or elements 17a, 18a 17d, 18a. The contact pieces 17a 17d are stationary contacts which are mounted in a row next to one another at the base body 10 at the region of its upper edge and possess connection pins 30a 30d protruding from the base body 10. The other contact pieces or elements 18a 18d are contact springs or blades which are connected at their lower ends with one another and possess a common connection 31. At the four corners of the plastic plate there are mounted locking or engagement balls or spheres 32.

As will be best understood by referring to FIG. 9 the adjustment component consists of a plate formed of transparent plastic which bears upon the visual surface 11 of the base body 10 and is guided at both end or side surfaces 19 of the base body 10. In order to ensure that the adjustment component 20 during displacement engages with the ten settings or adjusted positions 0' 9, there are provided at the underside two rows of locking or engagement recesses 33 into which fit the locking spheres or balls 32 of the base body 10. The window 22 of the adjustment component 20 which bears upon the visual surface 11 carries at the cover surface a cover line pattern 23 of black transverse extending cover lines 13 and longitudinal extending lines 14, as such have been shown in FIG. 2. At the right next to the window 22 there are arranged at the adjustment component 20 switching means for the pairs of contact pieces 17a, 18a 17d, 18d of the base body 10. Since contact springs are provided for the switching pieces or elements the stationary contacts can be depressed. The switching mean-cams 34 are arranged in accordance with the provided binary-coded-decimal notation at the points of intersection of four columns A, B, C, D and ten lines corresponding to the settings or adjustment 0 9, wherein the columns A, B, C, D are aligned at the pairs of contact pieces of the base body 10.

FIG. 9 illustrates the arrangement of the switching mean-cams 34 (full line circles) for a purely binary or dual coding of the decimal numbers wherein for the code switch the binary value I is portrayed by a closed contact and the binary value 0 by an open contact. At the adjustment component 20 there can be provided instead of the cams also recesses into which noses of the contact springs engage. For code switches with a different binary-coded-decimal notation, for instance an Aiken or Stibitz code there are employed adjustment components of the same design, wherein only the cams or receses are appropriately differently arranged for the actuation of the contact springs. In order to be able to clearly discern the numerical characters through the window 22 of the adjustment component 20 it is recommended to introduce a drop of oil between the visual surface 11 and the cover surface of the window 22. The relatively large width of such flat coding switches is generally undesirable. The width of a sliding code switch can be reduced at the expense of the low constructional height.

FIG. 10 illustrates the individual components of a parallelepiped or quadratic-shaped sliding code switch. With this construction of code or coding switch the base body or base body member 10 consists of a plastic block, the one jacket or outer surface of which is designed as a visual surface 11 bearing the seven-line character matrix 12. Recesses 35 for receiving a substantially U-shaped resilient or spring element 36 are provided at both sides of the base body 10 which bound the visual surface 11. Each leg 36a of the resilient elementor component 36 possesses three resilient projec tions or fingers 36b, wherein in each case two such pro jections 36b form two contact pieces or elements 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d and one respective projection serves as a locking or clamping spring 38. At each resilient projection 3612 there is formed at the region of the free end thereof an outwardly directed or flexed nose member 37, and additionally there is provided a common connection or connection means 31. The resilient or spring element 36 is merely pushed onto the base body 10, whereby the resilient projections 36b laterally protrude and their noses 37 extend somewhat past the side planes of base body 10. Both of the lower located spring projections forming the contact pieces 18a and 18d are shorter, as shown, than the remaining resilient projections. The contact pieces or elements 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d (contact elements 17c, 17b not being visible in FIG. 10 but are located opposite contact element 17a, 17b) are designed as contact pins, each two of which are arranged at one of the respective lateral recesses 35 of the base body 10. The adjustment or setting component 20 is formed from transparent plastic and is designed as a parallelepiped-shaped hood which can be placed upon base body 10, whereby the wall opposite the hood opening bears upon the visual surface 11 of the base body 10 and forms the window 22. The window underside constitutes the cover surface and carries the cover line pattern which has not been particularly shown in FIG. 10.

Continuing, it is here mentioned that at the inside there are formed at the side walls 20a, 20b of the adjustment component 20 locking or engagement recesses 33 for the noses of the locking or engaging springs 38 and so-called code" recesses 25 for the noses of the switching element-contact springs 18a 18d, which are arranged in the manner of FIG. 9 at the points of intersection of the columns A, B, C, D and lines 0' 9'. Assembly of this code or coding switch is very simple, it is only necessary to initially mount the resilient or spring element 36 at the base body 10 and then to mount the hood-shaped adjustment or setting component 20. For exchanging the adjustment component 20 there are not required any tools. During displacement of the adjustment component the engaged or locking positions are positively assumed, since for each setting or adjusted position 0' 9' there engages in addition to both locking springs 38 at least one contact spring.

Now in the case of the sliding-code switch arrangement depicted in cross-section in FIG. 11 the base body 10 thereof essentially has the same configuration as the base body of the embodiment of FIG. 10, however is designed as a closed hollow body. This base body 10 which is open during fabrication at its head end for instance is closed by a cover 39. The lines or markings 13a, 13b, 13c and 14a 14d of the character matrix are line-shaped slots at the wall 10a of the base body which supports the visual surface 11. The base or background of the visual surface 11, in this case, is maintained in a bright color at which there can be particularly well discerned the deep black appearing lines of the character matrix. The cover line pattern at the cover surface 21 of the adjustment or setting component 20 is maintained at the same color tone or color as the background or base of the visual surface 11. A cylindrical lens 29 is arranged at the window of this adjustment component. By means of the cylindrical lens 29 there is ensured for good visibility, especially of the narrow longitudinal lengthwise extending lines of the character matrix. It is advantageous if the cylindrical lens 29 and the adjustment or setting component 20 are formed from transparent plastic as an integral or onepiece component. With such design of the base body 10 there is additionally realized the possibility of internally illuminating the character matrix consisting of slot shaped openings at the visual surface in that a light source 40, for instance a glow lamp, is mounted at the cover 39.

In order to obtain close spacing of the successive adjustments or settings 9', it was previously necessary to employ an inclined oriented character matrix, wherein the line width also was additionally dependent upon the spacing of the adjustments or settings. In FIGS. 12 to 15 there is illustrated by way of example a sliding or slide-visual indicator or display apparatus in combination with a coding switch for instance, wherein there is employed a character matrix with longitudinal lines disposed in the displacement direction, that is to say a linear character matrix and the line width can be chosen independent of the adjustment or setting spacing. The base body 10 is for instance, in the form of a parallelepipid-shaped plastic block, the one jacket or outer surface of which constitutes the visual surface of the front surface 11. At each longitudinal side of the base body 10 there are provided two resilient tongues 15a, 15b, and 15c, 15d respectively, the

end surfaces of which constitute parts of the front visual surface 11 and by means of which there are formed slot-shaped openings at the front surface for the longitudinal extending lines 14a 14d of the character matrix 12. The transverse extending lines 13a, 13b, 13c, of the character matrix 12 can be color lines applied to the front surface or slot-shaped openings at the front surface. The tongues can be mounted at the base body 10, however they are advantageously, as best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14, formed as one piece with such base body 10, in that there are provided cuts or cut-out portions 27 at the plastic block which extend from the front surface towards the inside having walls substantially parallel to the side surfaces of the base body 10 and lateral separation or parting cuts 28, as best seen by referring to FIG. 12. At the outside surface of each tongue there is located an adjustment cam 16 which is preferably formed of a steel ball embedded or inserted at the associated tongue. A recess 24 at the underside of the base body 10 contains contact pieces or elements.

Just as was the case for the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11 the adjustment or setting component in this case is also a parellelepiped-hood formed of transparent plastic which fits upon the base body 10 and at the window 22 of which there is mounted a cylindrical lens 29. The side walls 20a, 20b of the adjustment component or element 20 exhibit at the inside shaped or formed recesses 26 for the tongue cams 16. The base body 10 and the adjustment component 20 are displaceable relative to one another through ten successive settings or adjusted positions 0 9', wherein in each adjusted position or adjustment there can be set tongues 15a, 1512, etc. of the base body 10 in order to form the numbers associated therewith from the character matrix 12. For covering the transverse lines 13a, 13b, of the character matrix there is mounted at the cover surface 21 a cover line pattern which, for this embodiment of visual indicator or display apparatus, however, only consists of transverse extending cover lines 13. With a cover line pattern of only five transverse extending cover lines 13 there are obtained the numerical characters or numbers of the form depicted in FIG. 3. In the case of small dimensional constructions with a front surface of, for instance, 8 mm. by l5 mm. and because of the slight width of the tongues the cams 16 are arranged at different heights. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment the cams 16 of the tongues 15a and 15c are located at the same height and closer to the front surface than the cams of the tongues 15b and 15d. A longitudinal extending line of the character matrix is visible at the front visual surface 11' when the cam of the associated tongue 15 engages in a corresponding recess 26 of the adjustment component 20.

Since each of the ten numerical characters or numbers (FIG. 3) contains at least two longitudinal extending lines of the character matrix 12 at least two tongue cams engage during each of the settings or adjustments 0' 9, so that the individual adjustment or settings are exactly determined and there are not required therefor any further locking or engaging elements. For coding the numerical characters according to the binary-coded-decimal notation there are secured to the floor of the recess 24 at the base body 10 five contact strips or fingers 41 which are electrically insulated from one another, wherein four of them are associated with the binary positions of the code and one serves as the common connection for the electrically interconnected contact elements 18a, 18b, 18c, 18a. The contact elements or pieces 18a 18d are contact springs or blades of a comb-shaped spring or resilient component 42 mounted at the one end wall 200 of the adjustment component 20 (FIG. 15) and possess an additional contact spring or blade l8e. These five contact springs 18a l8e bear upon the five contact strips 41 of the base body and during displacement of the base body and adjustment components scan the contact strips. The contact strip serving as the common connection is bare at its top surface whereas the other contact strips possess at their top surface appropriate electrically in sulated locations 43 corresponding to the individual settings 0 9' of the binary code. By means of such electrically insulated locations 43 there can be interrupted contact with the contact springs. The contact strips 41 are, for instance, connected to pins 45 of a socket 44 mounted at the base body 10.

FIGS. 16 and 17 relate to cylindrical rotary code switches having digital visual display or indication of the numerical characters or numbers. The base body 10 consists of plastic and is in the form of a cylinder with a planar or flat front surface. By means of two paraIIeI cuts or cut portions 46a and three cuts or cut porf tions 46b perpendicular to such at the front surface there are formed at the base body resilient tongues a 15f for the four longitudinal lines 14a 14d and both of the outer transverse lines 13a and 13c of the character matrix as well as four corner tongues 47. The base body 10 can be solid or hollow. In the case of a solid base body there is present at the center of the front surface 11 the seven-line character matrix and the tongues are covered by a visual surface 11, so that there is only visible the rectangular central portion of the front surface with the character matrix. In the case of a hollow base body and after carrying out the cutting operation the central rectangular portion drops out of the front wall and the character matrix must be formed at a visual surface 11. A most simple possibility is to secure a window 49 to the four corner tongues 47, at the underside of which there can be produced by means of a color coating or covering a visual surface 11 with the transparent character matrix. In the case of small constructional embodiments there can be advantageously employed as the window 49 a planoconvex lens. The adjustment component or setting has the shape of a cylindrical sleeve and is rotatably placed upon the base body 10. This adjustment component 20 also preferably consists of plastic. The resilient tongues 15a 15f for the character matrix possess earns 16 for setting or adjustment purposes, preferably formed by embedded steel balls, and at the inner wall of the adjustment component 20 there are present appropriate recesses 26 into which can engage these earns 16 of the tongues 15a 15f.

FIG. 17 illustrates the mode of application of the contact pieces or elements for a code or coding switch with binary-coded-decimal notation. At the inner wall of the hollow base body 10 or a cylindrical recess of the solid base body there are arranged five contact springs or blades 50a 50e of stepped or differing length. The upper ends of these contact springs are flexed into noses 51 which are located at openings or passageways 48 of the wall of the base body 10 and at the outside protrude therepast. The inner wall of the adjustment or setting component 20 carries a five-track code contact strip 52 with the four dual or binary locations or positions of tracks 52a 52d associated with a code and a null track 52e (FIG. 18) which can be scanned by the contact springs 50a. 50e during rotation of the adjustment c omponent 20. The code contact strip 52 can be fabricated from an adhesively bonded sheet metal strip with recesses corresponding to the code or as a metallic covering at the adjustment component. With a hollow base body 10 (FIG. 17) there can be provided a light source for illuminating the character matrix from the inside or, in order to permit the character matrix to appear in a deep-black color, there can be provided a closure cover.

Now for the ten characters or numbers 0 9 there are necessary ten settings or adjustment 0' 9. FIG. 18 illustrates a development of the inner wall of the adjustment component 20 with the recesses 26 arranged in two rows for the tongue cams l6 and the code contact strips 52. Additionally shown in FIG. 18 are the resilient tongues 15a 15fwith their earns 16 and the contact springs a 50e, and specifically in the adjusted position or setting 0'. The thick graduation or partial lines designated by 0' 9 represent the position of the settings or adjustments, the spacing of two graduation lines amounts to 36. By means of thin auxiliary graduation lines having a spacing of 9 the regions between successive settings are each divided into four equal parts. The cams 16 of the tongues 15a 15f are located in two planes; the cams of the tongues 150, 15c, 15f, for instance, in an upper plane and the cams of the tongues 15b, 15d, 15e in a lower plane (FIG. 18). In the illustration of FIG. 18 each tongue extends over 36. The cams of each plane are offset by 9 with regard to one another. In the case of the tongues 15a, the cams are located at the center, for the tongues 15f, 15h the cams are located 9 to the left of the center, and for the tongues 15c, 15d 9 to the right of center. The recesses 26 of the adjustment component 20 are located at the same planes as the cams and are arranged in the manner depicted in FIG. 18.

In the setting 0 the cams of the tongues 15a, 15c, 15c, engage with recesses and accordingly together with the already visible central transverse line 13b of the character matrix there is indicated a null (FIG. 7). During setting to position I the recesses are displaced by one setting or adjustment towards the right and it is apparent that then only the cams of the tongues 15c engage and therefore there is indicated the character I. In the setting 0' only the contact spring 50e bears against metal of the code contact strip 52, whereas the contact springs 50a 50d bear upon the insulated wall of the adjustment component, so that none of the code switches is closed, corresponding to the coded message or information 0,0,0,0 for a null. During adjustment or setting to position 1' the contact springs 50d and 50e bear against metal. At the code track D there is then closed the switch, whereas the switch for the code tracks A, B, C are open and there is obtained as the coded message 0,0,0,1 representing the l.

During each setting 0 9' there is thus indicated the therewith associated numerical character or number and at the same time the coded message for this numerical character is obtained. Such cylindrical rotary visual indicator or display apparatuses or rotary coding switches can possess small diameter, for instance 10 mm., but they do possess a rather great height.

On the other hand, a flat rotary code switch with digital visual indication is depicted in FIGS. 19 and 20. With the visual indicator or display apparatus of FIGS. 19 and 20 the base body 10 consists of a circular plastic disk or plate from which there are cut-out the four corners, as best seen by referring to FIG. 19. The six resilient tongues 15a 15f are obtained by cylindrical bores 53 parallel to the front surface of the base body, which are cut by a very thin cut-out or cut portion 54 at the front surface and by means of the lateral separation or parting cuts 55. Now as best seen in FIG. 20 if a tongue is flexed downwards, then the thin cut or cutout portion 54 splits open or spreads apart and it is possible to look into the lower situated bore 53. Open cuts 54 then provide the lines of the character matrix. The base body 10 can consist of, for instance, black plastic and the front surface can carry a white color covering, so that with flexed tongues the character matrix appears black upon a white background or base. The central line 13b of the character matrix can be a colored line.

In FIG. 19 the central transverse extending line 13b of the character matrix is located off center and the tongues 15b, 15d are narrower than the tongues 15a,

150. The earns 16 for adjustment or setting of the tongues are located at the side of the floor or bottom of the base body and are arranged at two tracks. The adjustment component 20 possesses a planar or fiat contact or traveling surface 56 upon which bears the base body 10. Recesses 26 are formed along two tracks at the contact or sliding surface 56 and into which can engage the earns 16 of the resilient tongues 15a 15f. The recesses 26 can be arranged, for instance, in the manner depicted in FIG. 18.

With the rotary code switch depicted in sectional view in FIG. 20 a shaft or axle 59 is secured to a socket plate 57, and upon this shaft 59 there is rotatably mounted the adjustment component or part 20. The other end of the shaft 59 carries the base body 10. A disk or plate 60 formed of transparent plastic is secured to the front surface of the base body 10. At the face or side of the disk 60 confronting the front surface, and which face provides the visual surface 11, there is applied for instance a colored covering or coating, so that the locations disposed above the cut-outs 54 are left free so that the character matrix is clearly visible. In the case of larger dimensional size embodiments there can be provided between the tongues and the disk 60 helical or coil springs 61 for instance, which serve to press the tongues against the contact surface 56 of the adjustment component 20. In the case of smaller size constructions the elasticity of the plastic is usually sufficient. The adjustment or setting component 20 forms a housing which is closed at the top by a lens 49, by means of which there is visible on a magnified scale the visual surface 11 of the disk 60. A code contact disk 63 is arranged in a circular ring-shaped recess 62 of the adjustment component 20, the code tracks of which are scanned by contact springs 64. The contact springs 64 are secured for instance to contact pins 58 of the socket plate 57. The central transverse extending line 13b of the character matrix is continuouslyvisible in this embodiment, so thatthere are obtained the numerical characters of FIG. 7. In order to obtain numerical characters or numbers like those of FIG. 3 it would be necessary to cover the central transverse extending line 13b of the character matrix at the settings and 1' In order to achieve this result, it would be possible to design a front surface of the base body as a visual surface and to employ the flat side ofthe lens 49 as a cover surface at which there can be mounted, in the manner shown in FIG. 19 by phantom lines, two cover lines 13 for the transverse extending line 13b of the character matrix.

Instead of indicating or displaying numbers it would be possible to portray with the same character matrix also large letters in a stylized form, wherein there is only necessary a different arrangement of the cover lines at the cover surface and the recesses for the tongue cams. With a lesser number of settings or adjustments it would be possible to only provide part of the seven-line character matrix for the indicator.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for the visual display of characters, especially decimal numerical characters which are associated with successive settings of an adjustment component and a base body and from which characters there is visually displayed during each setting the character associated therewith, comprising a base body and an adjustment component, said base body being provided with a visual surface with a character matrix for the characters to be displayed, said character matrix consisting oflines, cover element means including resilient tongues adjustable by means of the adjustment component for the lines of the character matrix in order to cover those lines which are not needed for the momentary display of a relevant character at the character matrix.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said visual front surface of the base body comprises a seven line-character matrix composed of substantially straight longitudinally extending lines and transversely extending lines.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each longitudinally extending line which is to be covered of the character matrix is defined by a slot-shaped opening at said visual surface which is non-transparent, said tongues being adjustable by means of the adjustment component in successive settings for covering and freeing said slot-shaped openings.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the base body and each of the resilient tongues possess an end surface which collectively form a front surface with slot-shaped openings for the longitudinally extending lines of the character matrix, the end surface of the base body as the visual surface carrying three transversely extending lines of the character matrix.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said base body possesses a substantially planar front surface, means for rotatably mounting the adjustment component in successive settings at the base body about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the front surface, said front surface being provided with a respective slot-shaped opening for each of the longitudinal extending lines and both of the outermost transverse extending lines of the character matrix, said resilient tongues being adjustable during the successive settings by means of the adjustment component and by closing the slot-shaped openings cover the aforesaid lines of the character matrix.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the characters are associated with the successive adjustments, all of which characters contain a central transverse extending line of the character matrix, so that the central transverse line is visually indicated in each setting and there is not provided for such central transverse extending line any cover element.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the central transverse line is arranged off-center at the character matrix, said adjustment component possessing a window which almost bears upon said front surface, said window carrying at the side confronting the front surface and serving as the cover element means for the central transverse extending line of the character matrix a cover line pattern formed of nontransparent transverse extending cover lines which for individual settings cover the transverse extending lines of the character matrix.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the base body comprises a substantially cylindrical plastic body having said planar front surface, said tongues being arranged at the base body and formed by slotshaped cut-outs arranged perpendicular to the front surface, the openings of said cut-outs being located at the front surface and associated with the lines of the character matrix, and wherein the adjustment component comprises a rotatable cylindrical sleeve mounted at the cylindrical base body.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said visual surface is arranged over the front surface of the base body, said visual surface having a non-transparent background, said character matrix comprising a transparent character matrix composed of slot-shaped openings at the background.

10. the apparatus as defined in claim 9, further including a window arranged at the base body, the side of the window confronting the front surface being constructed as the visual surface with a non-transparent background and a transparent character matrix.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said base body comprises a hollow body member defining a hollow compartment.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein a light source for illuminating the character matrix composed of slot-shaped openings is arranged in the hollow compartment of the base body.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the base body comprises a plastic disk having a front surface, said front surface being formed with line-shaped cut-outs for forming the lines which are to be covered by said resilient tongues, said resilient tongues being formed by lateral separation cuts, so that upon bending a tongue the cut-out associated therewith spreads apart and a line of the character matrix is indicated.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the cut-outs for the lines of the character matrix which are to be covered by the tongues comprise flat cuts, so that upon bending a cut-out the walls are visible as lines of the character matrix. i

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the base body is provided with a cylindrical hollow compartment beneath each cut-out for the lines of the character matrix which are to be covered by the tongues.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the adjustment component serves for adjusting the tongues and possesses a contact surface associated with the tongues and provided with recesses in the successive settings, each tongue possessing a cam which can engage with the recesses.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the cams are arranged at the tongues in at least one track and the cams of each track are offset with respect to one another at the individual settings.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, especially for coding decimal numerical characters according to a binary code, the binary numbers being portrayed by open and closed switches, locking elements for positively determining the successive settings of the base body and the adjustment component, two closable contact elements provided for each binary position of the code, said contact elements during adjustment to one setting of the coded message are opened and closed in accordance with the numerical character associated with the setting.

19. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein each pair of closable contact elements comprises a stationary contact and a contact spring.

20. The apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the stationary contacts are arranged electrically insulated from one another at the base body and the contact springs are defined by tongue-shaped projections of a resilient element arranged at the base body, actuation means provided at the adjustment component in the individual settings for actuating the tongue-shaped projections.

21. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, further including a code contact strip arranged at the base body. a resilient component with contact springs forming projections for scanning the code contact strip arranged at the adjustment component.

22. The apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein a socket is secured to the base body, said contact strip having individual code tracks, said socket having contact pins electrically connected with the individual code tracks of the code contact strip.

23. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, further including a code contact strip provided at the adjustment component, electrically insulated contact springs provided at the base body for scanning the code contact strip in the successive settings.

24. The apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said contact elements include contact springs, a socket secured to the base body, said socket having contact pins electrically connected with the contact springs. 

1. An apparatus for the visual display of characters, especially decimal numerical characters which are associated with successive settings of an adjustment component and a base body and from which characters there is visually displayed during each setting the character associated therewith, comprising a base body and an adjustment component, said base body being provided with a visual surface with a character matrix for the characters to be displayed, said character matrix consisting of lines, cover element means including resilient tongues adjustable by means of the adjustment component for the lines of the character matrix in order to cover those lines which are not needed for the momentary display of a relevant character at the character matrix.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wheRein said visual front surface of the base body comprises a seven line-character matrix composed of substantially straight longitudinally extending lines and transversely extending lines.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each longitudinally extending line which is to be covered of the character matrix is defined by a slot-shaped opening at said visual surface which is non-transparent, said tongues being adjustable by means of the adjustment component in successive settings for covering and freeing said slot-shaped openings.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the base body and each of the resilient tongues possess an end surface which collectively form a front surface with slot-shaped openings for the longitudinally extending lines of the character matrix, the end surface of the base body as the visual surface carrying three transversely extending lines of the character matrix.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said base body possesses a substantially planar front surface, means for rotatably mounting the adjustment component in successive settings at the base body about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the front surface, said front surface being provided with a respective slot-shaped opening for each of the longitudinal extending lines and both of the outermost transverse extending lines of the character matrix, said resilient tongues being adjustable during the successive settings by means of the adjustment component and by closing the slot-shaped openings cover the aforesaid lines of the character matrix.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the characters are associated with the successive adjustments, all of which characters contain a central transverse extending line of the character matrix, so that the central transverse line is visually indicated in each setting and there is not provided for such central transverse extending line any cover element.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the central transverse line is arranged off-center at the character matrix, said adjustment component possessing a window which almost bears upon said front surface, said window carrying at the side confronting the front surface and serving as the cover element means for the central transverse extending line of the character matrix a cover line pattern formed of non-transparent transverse extending cover lines which for individual settings cover the transverse extending lines of the character matrix.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the base body comprises a substantially cylindrical plastic body having said planar front surface, said tongues being arranged at the base body and formed by slot-shaped cut-outs arranged perpendicular to the front surface, the openings of said cut-outs being located at the front surface and associated with the lines of the character matrix, and wherein the adjustment component comprises a rotatable cylindrical sleeve mounted at the cylindrical base body.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said visual surface is arranged over the front surface of the base body, said visual surface having a non-transparent background, said character matrix comprising a transparent character matrix composed of slot-shaped openings at the background.
 10. the apparatus as defined in claim 9, further including a window arranged at the base body, the side of the window confronting the front surface being constructed as the visual surface with a non-transparent background and a transparent character matrix.
 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said base body comprises a hollow body member defining a hollow compartment.
 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein a light source for illuminating the character matrix composed of slot-shaped openings is arranged in the hollow compartment of the base body.
 13. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the base body comprises a plastic disk having a front surface, said front surface being forMed with line-shaped cut-outs for forming the lines which are to be covered by said resilient tongues, said resilient tongues being formed by lateral separation cuts, so that upon bending a tongue the cut-out associated therewith spreads apart and a line of the character matrix is indicated.
 14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the cut-outs for the lines of the character matrix which are to be covered by the tongues comprise flat cuts, so that upon bending a cut-out the walls are visible as lines of the character matrix.
 15. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the base body is provided with a cylindrical hollow compartment beneath each cut-out for the lines of the character matrix which are to be covered by the tongues.
 16. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the adjustment component serves for adjusting the tongues and possesses a contact surface associated with the tongues and provided with recesses in the successive settings, each tongue possessing a cam which can engage with the recesses.
 17. The apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the cams are arranged at the tongues in at least one track and the cams of each track are offset with respect to one another at the individual settings.
 18. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, especially for coding decimal numerical characters according to a binary code, the binary numbers being portrayed by open and closed switches, locking elements for positively determining the successive settings of the base body and the adjustment component, two closable contact elements provided for each binary position of the code, said contact elements during adjustment to one setting of the coded message are opened and closed in accordance with the numerical character associated with the setting.
 19. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein each pair of closable contact elements comprises a stationary contact and a contact spring.
 20. The apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the stationary contacts are arranged electrically insulated from one another at the base body and the contact springs are defined by tongue-shaped projections of a resilient element arranged at the base body, actuation means provided at the adjustment component in the individual settings for actuating the tongue-shaped projections.
 21. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, further including a code contact strip arranged at the base body, a resilient component with contact springs forming projections for scanning the code contact strip arranged at the adjustment component.
 22. The apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein a socket is secured to the base body, said contact strip having individual code tracks, said socket having contact pins electrically connected with the individual code tracks of the code contact strip.
 23. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, further including a code contact strip provided at the adjustment component, electrically insulated contact springs provided at the base body for scanning the code contact strip in the successive settings.
 24. The apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said contact elements include contact springs, a socket secured to the base body, said socket having contact pins electrically connected with the contact springs. 